A half day consultation was jointly organised by Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Office for Dalits and Backward classes and Christian Institute for the study of Religion (CISRS) on the topic “Dalits in India” at CISRS, New Delhi.

Fr. Devasagayaraj, secretary to the CBCI Office for SC/BC gave introduction to the consultation. Sr. Robancy spoke about the ‘Biblical Understanding of Dalits’. Dr. Ramesh Nathan, NCDHR spoke on the ‘Violation of Constitutional rights of Dalits in India’. Sr. Shalini, Vidya Jyoti spoke about the ‘Dalit Women in India and their plight’. Mr. Franklin Caesar, Advocate in Supreme Court of India spoke about the ‘Religious Freedom of Dalits in India’. Dr. John Dayal, Senior Journalist gave the concluding remarks. Rev. Arvind Peter, coordinator of CISRS proposed the vote of thanks.

Around 70 people from different denominations participated in the program representing different institutions, organisations, churches and seminaries. The participants were moved to hear about the plight of the Dalits and pledged to side with them.